Post by Taxigirl on Oct 27, 2005 7:28:38 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4374936.stm
Stilian Petrov claimed a hat-trick as Motherwell were demolished by a wonderful Celtic display.
Petrov drilled in a low shot after 14 minutes, Shaun Maloney did the same soon after and Petrov claimed his second with a clever curling strike.
Japanese playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura added a brilliant fourth after 67 minutes with a 25-yard free-kick that found the top corner of the net.
Petrov bagged his third when he blasted Chris Sutton's flick past Graeme Smith.
Celtic were held 4-4 at Motherwell on the opening day of the season, but there was no chance of another even contest, with the home side in sparkling form.
Gordon Strachan's side started slowly but their slick one-touch passing improved as a breathtaking first half went on.
The scoring began when Petrov controlled Maloney's pass close to the penalty spot and slotted the ball past Motherwell keeper Smith.
Two minutes later, Craig Beattie found Maloney at the far post with a great cross and the youngster had time to control the ball before sending a low shot home from eight yards.
Motherwell were being ripped apart with ease and it was no surprise when Petrov grabbed his second of the evening.
Beattie laid the ball off for the Bulgarian, who curled a left-footed shot past the outstretched hand of Smith and into the bottom corner of the net from just outside the area.
Motherwell rarely threatened but were handed a glorious chance in the 44th minute.
Bobo Balde under-hit his back-pass and Artur Boruc had to race out to put Richie Foran under pressure and got a hand to the ball.
Motherwell had another chance early in the second-half when Brian McLean sent Brian Kerr's corner towards goal, but Mo Camara was on the goal-line to clear.
Maloney forced a good save from Smith before substitute Ross Wallace sent a long-range effort whistling past the post.
Nakamura then demonstrated why Strachan splashed out a big transfer fee when he sent a superb left-foot free-kick flying past Smith and into the top corner from distance.
Petrov completed his hat-trick with 11 minutes remaining when he met Sutton's flick and smashed the ball beyond Smith.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Camara (Wallace 59), Nakamura, Petrov, Lennon, Maloney, Sutton (McGeady 83), Beattie (Hartson 63). Subs Not Used: Marshall, Virgo, Agathe, Pearson.
Goals: Petrov 14, Maloney 17, Petrov 23, Nakamura 67, Petrov 79.
Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, Kinniburgh, Hammell (Paul Quinn 22), Fagan, Kerr, McLean (Fitzpatrick 73), Foran (Clarkson 68), Hamilton, Scott McDonald. Subs Not Used: Marshall, Steve McDonald, Connolly, Darren Lee Smith.
Booked: Fagan, Kinniburgh, Paul Quinn, Craigan.
Att: 57,388
Ref: C Richmond
Stilian Petrov claimed a hat-trick as Motherwell were demolished by a wonderful Celtic display.
Petrov drilled in a low shot after 14 minutes, Shaun Maloney did the same soon after and Petrov claimed his second with a clever curling strike.
Japanese playmaker Shunsuke Nakamura added a brilliant fourth after 67 minutes with a 25-yard free-kick that found the top corner of the net.
Petrov bagged his third when he blasted Chris Sutton's flick past Graeme Smith.
Celtic were held 4-4 at Motherwell on the opening day of the season, but there was no chance of another even contest, with the home side in sparkling form.
Gordon Strachan's side started slowly but their slick one-touch passing improved as a breathtaking first half went on.
The scoring began when Petrov controlled Maloney's pass close to the penalty spot and slotted the ball past Motherwell keeper Smith.
Two minutes later, Craig Beattie found Maloney at the far post with a great cross and the youngster had time to control the ball before sending a low shot home from eight yards.
Motherwell were being ripped apart with ease and it was no surprise when Petrov grabbed his second of the evening.
Beattie laid the ball off for the Bulgarian, who curled a left-footed shot past the outstretched hand of Smith and into the bottom corner of the net from just outside the area.
Motherwell rarely threatened but were handed a glorious chance in the 44th minute.
Bobo Balde under-hit his back-pass and Artur Boruc had to race out to put Richie Foran under pressure and got a hand to the ball.
Motherwell had another chance early in the second-half when Brian McLean sent Brian Kerr's corner towards goal, but Mo Camara was on the goal-line to clear.
Maloney forced a good save from Smith before substitute Ross Wallace sent a long-range effort whistling past the post.
Nakamura then demonstrated why Strachan splashed out a big transfer fee when he sent a superb left-foot free-kick flying past Smith and into the top corner from distance.
Petrov completed his hat-trick with 11 minutes remaining when he met Sutton's flick and smashed the ball beyond Smith.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Celtic: Boruc, Telfer, Balde, McManus, Camara (Wallace 59), Nakamura, Petrov, Lennon, Maloney, Sutton (McGeady 83), Beattie (Hartson 63). Subs Not Used: Marshall, Virgo, Agathe, Pearson.
Goals: Petrov 14, Maloney 17, Petrov 23, Nakamura 67, Petrov 79.
Motherwell: Graeme Smith, Corrigan, Craigan, Kinniburgh, Hammell (Paul Quinn 22), Fagan, Kerr, McLean (Fitzpatrick 73), Foran (Clarkson 68), Hamilton, Scott McDonald. Subs Not Used: Marshall, Steve McDonald, Connolly, Darren Lee Smith.
Booked: Fagan, Kinniburgh, Paul Quinn, Craigan.
Att: 57,388
Ref: C Richmond
